Great Summer Reads Day 8: Storm Child by Melanie Mason

Melanie is an author, designer, photographer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. She has told stories all her life and finds her passion in sharing the plots that spin through her head. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her two dachshund-chihuahua dogs. She loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that feeds her imagination.

When no one is listening, Melanie loves to belt Broadway songs in her living room and car. Someday she hopes to be on a flight where someone is reading her book.

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To escape capture by Imperial soldiers, 16-year-old Eridale Storm leaves the only home she’s ever known and drags her younger sister into the wilds of Mericon—the Empire that formed when America collapsed. Hoping to find safety with their mother who disappeared when Eridale was three, the girls follow clues that lead them across the country, but the empire hounds their every step.

The journey draws Eridale deeper into the conflict between the Empire and the rebel Freedom Fighters, producing questions about Eridale’s heritage, questions no one wants to answer.

Caught between the threads of deception, rebellion, and betrayal, Eridale struggles to find out who she is. The answers she finds could lead the country back to freedom or shackle them under the imperial throne forever.

This is book 1 of a 4 book series and not a stand-alone book.

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Snippet:

“Who’s there?” I call out.

            No one answers.

            “I know you’re there.” My announcement is ignored. Alone, unarmed, and naked, I’m not much of a force to reckon with.

            I move silently through the water, keeping only my head above the surface until I reach the edge of the pool where I left my robe. Though I’m still in the water, I pull my robe in and wrap it around my body before moving back into the steam.

            Seconds tick by, and my heart hammers in my chest. I move to the right and hear the tiniest whoosh. A pinch in my neck brings my hand up, and a small dart falls into my palm. My brows furrow for a second before the room starts spinning. I slosh through the water, trying to reach the edge, and my legs give out. Water envelopes my body, and darkness claims me. My last cognizant thought is I’m going to drown. 

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Great Summer Reads Day 7: Coffee Cottage Collection Vol 1,2 and 3 by Lynn U. Watson

Lynn U. Watson has incorporated her love for Jesus and passion for essential oils into a three-volume devotional Collection, sharing spicy and aromatic essences of Scripture. Her devotions encourage you to diligently cultivate your heart and grow your roots deeply in an intimate relationship with Jesus. Lynn holds a BA in Journalism from University of Memphis, a certificate in aromatherapy, and is a practicing reflexologist.

 She and Steve have been married since 1973 and call Bartlett, Tennessee home. Their lives are blessed with two adult children, their spouses, and five beautiful, of course, grandchildren. Jasmine, her tuxedo kitty, runs the house. Her current work-in-progress is a novel inspired by a painfully challenging event in the life of her great-grandmother, changing the course for her family forever.

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All three of the Cinnamah-Brosia devotionals in one ebook volume! 

Fruits; spices; essential oils; & botanicals of all kinds sprinkled over & planted on the pages of the Bible provide insights into God’s word. Our Coffee Cottage’s fictional characters, Cinnamah-Brosia and friends, courageously use the essences to season the world around them with an overflowing measure of Jesus. All three volumes of Cinnamah-Brosia's Inspirational Collection for Women are featured in this single e-book.

"The Essence of Courage: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Solomon’s Locked Garden and in Your Heart"

As you breathe in the fragrant aromas found in Solomon’s Locked Garden (Song of Solomon 4), you'll harvest the Fruit of the Spirit and cultivate it in the garden of your heart.


"The Essence of Joy: Filling Your Heart with the Aromas of Jesus’ Nativity"

The scents of Christmas invite our imaginations into the holiday season. What emotions flood your heart when the holidays aromas waft your way?

You’ll meet women of the Bible and contemporary women (Cinnamah-Brosia and friends) like you and me who will encourage you to discover the refreshing essence of a life lived in the presence of Jesus. Let JOY fill your heart with the aromas of His nativity.

"The Essence of Humility: Live and Love Like Jesus"

We live in a culture overwhelmed with disrespect, egos, entitlement, rudeness, and offense — lives focused on self, rather than God or others.

Jesus entered our world and walked among us. He placed no importance on rank or position. Jesus’ life reflected love because it reflected humility, and He invites us to live and love like Him.

You’re invited to travel with Cinnamah-Brosia and friends once again to meet real-life people — our contemporaries and those on the pages of God’s word, who encountered the same real-life challenges you and I face each day. Learn the blessings of a life lived like Jesus lived —- with love and humility.

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Snippet:

From The Essence of Humility:

            I loved the purity and simplicity of linen fabric. No fancy weave — just open and airy — it’s color most often natural or ivory. Those characteristics give it a humble character, creating the perfect background to showcase cross-stitch and embroidery designs and skills.

            God chooses linen for the wedding gown of the Bride of Christ. Look what it signifies.

Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory and hon- or, for the marriage of the Lamb has come (at last), and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself. She has been per- mitted to dress in fine linen, dazzling white and clean — for the fine linen signifies the righteous acts of the saints (the ethical conduct, personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character of believers).   (Revelation 19:8, Amplified Bible)

            Linen’s purity and humbleness create the perfect backdrop for the righteous acts of Jesus’ followers — His bride. Others observe the difference in our lives when we are in relationship with Jesus!

            Integrity, moral courage, godly character, and ethical conduct stand out in our self-serving society. The beauty of a life lived like Jesus lived and loved stands out on its humble background — a beautiful masterpiece! 

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Great Summer Reads Day 6: Second Love in New York City by Keri Brooks Mcwhorter

Keri Brooks Mcwhorter is a sixth generation native of Chandler, Arizona. She's fourth-generation graduate of Chandler High School, and has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Arizona State University.

While serving a mission for the LDS Church, she met her husband in New York City. They have three children, a love of family, and an English Bulldog.

  
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Madelyn's and Ben's families have been close friends since they moved next door to each other. When Madelyn's husband Luke died, she swore she'd keep her marriage vows intact by remaining single for the rest of her life. 

She and Ben relied on each other for everything after he joined the widower club. 

Now Madelyn's daughter is marrying Ben's son, and everyone's going to New York City for the wedding - including Heather, the woman Ben's been dating.

Will Heather succeed in breaking up Madelyn and Ben's friendship, or will they discover their second love in New York City?

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Snippet:

     I opened my mouth in an attempt to exchange good dialogue, when I was abruptly interrupted by a candy cinnamon bear flying in front of my face and hitting Jared in the back of the head.

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Great Summer Reads Day 5: The Certain Hope by E.C. Jackson

E. C. Jackson began her writing career with the full-length play Pajama Party. For three and a half years she published the Confidence in Life newsletter for Alpha Production Ministries, in addition to writing tracts and devotionals. 

Teaching a women’s Bible study at her church for eleven years naturally led to her current endeavor of writing inspirational romance novels and teen and young adult fiction. Her mission: spiritual maturity in the body of Christ through fiction.

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Love at first sight. It’s every girl’s dream. 

But Tara Simpkins is finding out it’s not as easy as it seems. Is this truly the man God sent to be her husband, or is she just desperate to escape her loneliness? The recent loss of both parents has left her reeling, and close friends don’t think she’s in any position to make major life decisions. 

She and her new-found love are convinced they can live happily ever after in the home of their dreams. His family thinks he’s moving way too fast and might disappoint the kind-hearted woman he’s fallen head over heels for. And then there’s Leah. Leah is supposed to be part of his past, but what if she decides she’s his future? 

Tara’s match made in Heaven may be over before it truly begins.

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Snippet:

Instead of replying, she swung his hand. “We live in a small world. Remember that children’s song ‘It’s a Small World’?” Tara sang a few lines. “Stop me before I take a sentimental journey.”

Kissing the top of her head, he hugged her to his side. He’d never met a woman like her.

Despite her simple lifestyle, our lives won’t be dull.

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Great Summer Reads Day 4: Monk's Bride by Caroline Clemmons

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, four feral cats, a fox, a raccoon, and two possums. 

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.

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A destitute widow; a reformed con man; the danger that links them…

Betsie Galloway Hirsch has escaped Memphis with her son. Her gambling husband tricked the wrong people and they’re demanding Betsie pay his debts—or else. She’s come to Kincaid Springs to stay with her mother and seek a safe place for her son. Being so far from her former home, she feels secure. That is, until danger confronts her.

After 34 years alone, Michael “Monk” Magonagle is falling in love with Betsie and is fond of her son. Monk is certain she is not free of the men her late husband cheated. Although he is not a violent man by nature, Monk is willing to fight for Betsie’s safety. He and the men of the Kincaid family prepare to meet the enemy.

How can Betsie and Liam be protected from the approaching danger? Will she and Monk be able to forge a love that endures or will one of them be silenced forever? What toll will the enemy exact? 

  
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Snippet:

Betsie leaned down to look at Liam. “Stand right there until I’m in the buggy.”

After helping Betsie onto the front seat beside Sarah, Monk lifted Liam to hand to his mother. The child made a weird noise and threw up his lunch, most of which landed on Monk’s clothes and shoes. Enough landed on Liam’s front that he was a mess too.

“No, please no. Oh, Mr. Magonagle, your clothes.” Betsie hid her face in her hands. When she lowered her hands, tears were in her blue eyes.

“Forgive me for leaving you in such a mess and holding my son.” She stretched out her arms for her son. “Liam, come here.” She took the boy. “I should never have let you eat so much after. . . .” She trailed off as she settled her son on her lap.

Monk figured she almost said after not having enough to eat for so long. He used his handkerchief to dab at his clothes. There was no hope. “Guess I’d better rush home and change clothes.”

Sarah shook her head. “I should think so. Climb in and I’ll drop you there on our way. You don’t want to walk through town looking as you do.”

His house wasn’t really on the way, but he climbed onto the back seat anyway. His position at the bank required him to act with impeccable dignity. He wasn’t eager to walk through town looking a foul mess and smelling like a chamber pot.

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